Jay Posey - Morningside Fall

“Hi, Thani,” Wren said with a wave. Thani returned the wave, but didn’t say anything. Wren guessed she was probably about six years old.

“Was there something you needed, Wren?” Lil asked.

Wren shook his head.

“OK. I’m going to take Thani to get something to eat. Would you like to come with us?”

“I should wait for my mom.”

“OK. Well, we’ll be just down there,” she said, pointing down the hall towards where it bent to the right. “Around the corner, and at the end of the hall. You can join us there when you’re ready.”

“OK. Thanks, Lil.”

She nodded, and then turned and held out a hand to Thani. “Come on, sweet one, let’s go find you some food.” Thani took Lil’s hand. Wren stepped back away from the door to let them out.

“See you in a little bit,” Lil said as she closed her door. Wren nodded. He stood watching the two of them walking down the hall, hand in hand, until they disappeared around the corner. Then he walked back to his room and stood outside the door, waiting for Mama. And while he waited, he felt completely out of place.

Later that evening, after Swoop and Wick had come back in from their scouting, Lil had given them all a quick tour of the complex. It was larger than it had initially appeared, with several floors extending down below ground. Whatever its original purpose, the building was clearly built to hold more people than were there now.

Lil had originally told them that she’d put them up on the top floor so they could all be together. But as they’d gotten shown around, Cass couldn’t help but get the feeling that Lil had wanted to keep them separated from her own people as well. Everyone they’d met was cordial, but Cass could feel the distance between the two groups. And no one quite seemed to know what to make of Painter and her.

Mouse had clearly gained some favor amongst the people, having tended to the many wounded and having made improvements where he could. Even though Elan had counted eighteen able-bodied among them, it’d turned out that most of them had injuries as well; they were just too stubborn to let their wounds be considered anything more than minor. Mouse had come away impressed, both by the quality of the people and the skill they showed in medicine.

Afterwards, the team gathered in the mess hall, where a number of Lil’s people had prepared a meal. Cass recognized some of those that had escorted Lil, among the cooks. There were several rows of long steel tables with benches, and Lil directed them to seats. Though Gamble and her team had put up a lot of resistance, Lil’s people insisted on feeding them from their own stores. This place clearly hadn’t been some improvised shelter; it had been stocked well ahead of their need, and for more than had survived.

Two men brought trays over to their table, carrying bowls of stew on them. They placed these in front of everyone wordlessly, and then departed. For the most part, they were left to themselves, but Lil and Elan both joined them at the table, as did the little girl, who was introduced as Thani.

The stew was brown and thick, and though Cass couldn’t identify much of what was in it, she was surprised at how delicious it was. She’d expected something more typical of a survivors’ enclave: thin, watery, flavorless. Instead, the meal was hearty and nourishing.

“I have to admit, Lil,” Cass said. “I’m a little overwhelmed at your hospitality. You’ve done far too much.”

Lil shook her head while she finished the food she had in her mouth. “A poor reception compared to the welcome you would’ve received a week ago. We’ve suffered much. I’m afraid it’s made my people wary and suspicious.”

“Everyone’s been very kind.”

Lil sighed. “I’m glad that’s how it seems.” She looked over her shoulder at the people gathered around other tables. “But you didn’t know us before. We’re a changed people. I fear this latest attack may have broken us.”

“It’s only been three days, Lil,” Elan said. “We’ll adapt, same as always. Just takes time.”

Lil turned back and stirred the stew in her bowl. “I hope you’re right, Elan.” She looked at Thani, and stroked the girl’s hair. “But it wasn’t just the attack. We’ve been dwindling for a long time now. Once we lost Chapel…”

“Chapel was your leader?” Cass asked.

Lil smiled a little sadly. “He would’ve said ‘no’. But Chapel was the heart of our community. He was the first to believe we could live without walls. The first to show it. After he was taken…” She paused and shook her head again. “It was a slow process, but hope started to drain away. Families left. I suppose it was only a matter of time before our little remnant would fail.”

“How did it happen, Lil?” asked Wren. There was an edge to the question, a hint of anger. “How did they get him?”

“I still ask myself the same question, Wren. It seems impossible, doesn’t it?” Wren nodded.

“One night they came, and we repelled them. It wasn’t even that large an attack. Nothing like the one we suffered when you were with us. But afterwards, when we all gathered back together, he was just… gone.”

“Lil pursued them,” Elan said. “She never tells that part.”

“Many of us did, Elan.”

“Not like you.”

Lil shrugged.

“After Chapel, Lil has led us in his stead,” Elan continued. “She kept our community together. If not for her, it would’ve collapsed completely.”

“Elan is being generous,” Lil said. But Elan shook his head.

“No, I’m being honest. If not for her, I don’t think any of us would’ve survived.”

“What will you do now?” Gamble asked.

“Get well first, I hope,” Lil said. “After that, I have no idea.”

“You could come to Morningside,” Cass said. “I’m sure we could find a place for you there. For all of you.”

Lil made a little frown, but more from thought than displeasure at the idea. “I’m not sure how my people would adjust. That would be quite a shock.”

“It’s not like it used to be,” Wren said.

“And yet you fled it?” Lil asked. Cass and Gamble exchanged a quick glance.

Lil smiled gently. “You looked too much like a war party for me to believe you were just out for a visit.”

“It’s temporary,” Cass answered. “We’ll be returning soon.”

Lil dipped her head. She didn’t press for more information, but her eyes suggested she knew more than they’d shared. “We need some time to recover. Then we’ll see. It’s been years since I’ve been to a city.”

“We can exchange SNIPs, if you like. When it comes time to make a decision, you can always pim me.”

Lil nodded. “I’d like that. And what about you then? How many days do you think you’ll be with us?”

Gamble shook her head. “Not many. We don’t want to be a burden.”

“You’re free to do as you wish, of course, but you’re no burden to us.”

“Just the same,” Gamble said.

“I understand,” Lil answered, and the tone of her voice suggested she really did.

They finished their meal together, with the conversation carefully directed away from any more discussion of future plans. Wren was finally able to provide some closure for Lil and the others, telling the full story of what had happened after he’d left their compound: of Mister Carter’s death at the hands of Dagon; of Three’s attempt to reunite Wren with his father and his sacrifice; and of Asher’s terrifying domination of the Weir, and of Cass’s return.

“It all seems so impossible,” Lil said. “And yet here you are. When Mister Carter didn’t return, we knew something terrible had happened, but…” She trailed off with a shake of head.